Blake looks back on stellar Auburn career

Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 8:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 8:45 p.m.

AUBURN — Emory Blake has made a lot of memories during his four years in an Auburn jersey.

One memory in particular stands out, though.

Make that one season.

“Winning the national championship, that whole year was amazing,” he said. “Having that feeling of knowing that no matter what happens in the game, you’re going to win, that was the mentality we had before every game.”

Blake has remained a source of steadiness for the Tigers during the ups and downs he has experienced in his career.

He made his 28th career start Saturday against Alabama A&M. He has totaled eight 100-yard receiving games over his four years. He has 125 career grabs and is one of just nine Auburn players to top 100 career catches. His 1,966 career receiving yards rank seventh in Auburn history. His 16 touchdown catches are fifth in Tiger history.

This season has been the least successful that Blake has experienced on the Plain. His freshman and junior seasons, Auburn went 8-5. Sandwiched in between was the 14-0 national championship team in 2010.

A 3-8 record is not the kind of season most seniors dream of, but he has tried to make the best of his team’s struggles in 2012.

“I look at it as more of a learning experience than, ‘Oh, woe is me,’” he explained. “Sometimes things don’t go the way you want in life even though you work hard. I just have to use it as a learning experience for later on in my life.”

He knows his Tigers have one game left though — the Iron Bowl next week in Tuscaloosa against Alabama.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s the game you mark on the calendar. We haven’t been playing as well as we’d like and Bama’s been playing some really good ball, but we’re just gonna give it all we’ve got and we’ll see what happens.”

Being one of just 13 seniors on the team, Blake has become one of the leaders of the team. His production level and upperclassman status cemented that.

He felt like his leadership role developed a bit earlier, however.

“I felt like I needed to be a leader last year, too,” he said. “I didn’t feel like there was really anything I needed to change from last year, except maybe being more vocal.”

In his final home game, Blake didn’t have the kind of outing he’s gotten used to. He caught just two passes for 20 yards.

That doesn’t bother him, though. He’s just happy with the victory.

“It was emotional,” he said. “It definitely was (a good feeling to win). It’s what you work for. It’s what we know we can do.”

With a national championship ring, a Southeastern Conference title ring, a spot in the Auburn record books as one of the most productive receivers in Tiger history and a likely future in the pros, the son of former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake felt comfortable just enjoying the experience of playing in Jordan-Hare Stadium one last time and reflecting on his career.

“It seems like yesterday I was a freshman trying to figure what everything was all about,” he said. “It’s been an amazing experience here for me, and I hope I did the Auburn coaches and fans proud.”

<p>AUBURN — Emory Blake has made a lot of memories during his four years in an Auburn jersey.</p><p>One memory in particular stands out, though.</p><p>Make that one season.</p><p>“Winning the national championship, that whole year was amazing,” he said. “Having that feeling of knowing that no matter what happens in the game, you're going to win, that was the mentality we had before every game.”</p><p>Blake has remained a source of steadiness for the Tigers during the ups and downs he has experienced in his career.</p><p>He made his 28th career start Saturday against Alabama A&M. He has totaled eight 100-yard receiving games over his four years. He has 125 career grabs and is one of just nine Auburn players to top 100 career catches. His 1,966 career receiving yards rank seventh in Auburn history. His 16 touchdown catches are fifth in Tiger history.</p><p>This season has been the least successful that Blake has experienced on the Plain. His freshman and junior seasons, Auburn went 8-5. Sandwiched in between was the 14-0 national championship team in 2010.</p><p>A 3-8 record is not the kind of season most seniors dream of, but he has tried to make the best of his team's struggles in 2012.</p><p>“I look at it as more of a learning experience than, 'Oh, woe is me,'” he explained. “Sometimes things don't go the way you want in life even though you work hard. I just have to use it as a learning experience for later on in my life.”</p><p>He knows his Tigers have one game left though — the Iron Bowl next week in Tuscaloosa against Alabama.</p><p>“It means a lot,” he said. “It's the game you mark on the calendar. We haven't been playing as well as we'd like and Bama's been playing some really good ball, but we're just gonna give it all we've got and we'll see what happens.”</p><p>Being one of just 13 seniors on the team, Blake has become one of the leaders of the team. His production level and upperclassman status cemented that.</p><p>He felt like his leadership role developed a bit earlier, however.</p><p>“I felt like I needed to be a leader last year, too,” he said. “I didn't feel like there was really anything I needed to change from last year, except maybe being more vocal.”</p><p>In his final home game, Blake didn't have the kind of outing he's gotten used to. He caught just two passes for 20 yards.</p><p>That doesn't bother him, though. He's just happy with the victory.</p><p>“It was emotional,” he said. “It definitely was (a good feeling to win). It's what you work for. It's what we know we can do.”</p><p>With a national championship ring, a Southeastern Conference title ring, a spot in the Auburn record books as one of the most productive receivers in Tiger history and a likely future in the pros, the son of former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake felt comfortable just enjoying the experience of playing in Jordan-Hare Stadium one last time and reflecting on his career.</p><p>“It seems like yesterday I was a freshman trying to figure what everything was all about,” he said. “It's been an amazing experience here for me, and I hope I did the Auburn coaches and fans proud.”</p>